(Front) Design by John Williams  - Photo by Dweezil Zappa (LP inside left) (LP inside right) (LP back) Design by John Williams  - Photo by Gail Zappa

Live at The Palladium, NYC, NY - December 26-29, 1976

Linked material:

Zappa in New York

 

Disc 1
  1 Titties & Beer [CD uncensored version]
  2 Cruisin’ for burgers [CD bonus track]
  3 I promise not to come in your mouth
  4 Punky’s whips [CD bonus track]
  5 Honey, don’t you want a man like me?
  6 The Illinois enema bandit

 

Disc 2
  1 I’m the slime [CD bonus track]
  2 Pound for a brown [CD bonus track]
  3 Manx needs women
  4 The black page drum solo + Black page #1
  5 Big leg Emma
  6 Sofa
  7 Black page #2
  8 The torture never stops [CD bonus track]
  9 The purple lagoon + Approximate

 

All compositions by Frank Zappa.


Album notes by FZ
ABOUT THIS ALBUM…
In 1976 we played for a cozy group of 27,500 deranged fanatics in New York City (13,500 for three shows at the Felt Forum, at Halloween, and 14,000 for four shows at the Palladium the week between Christmas and New Year’s). All of these sold out concerts were promoted by Ron Delsener (who we hereby thank), and attended by some of the nicest people we have had the experience of playing for (who we also hereby thank). New York last Christmas is what made this album possible.

Disc 1

1. Titties & Beer [CD uncensored version]


[Notes by FZ] A popular concert event with cheesy choreography and a rubber mask with little nub-like horns that Terry wears when he’s pretending to be the Devil.

 Terry Bozzio (from “Zappa in New York” CD booklet)

 
[FZ] It was the blackest night, there was no moon in sight
You know, the stars ain’t shinin’ ‘cause the sky’s too tight
I heard the scary wind, I seen some ugly trees
There was a werewolf honkin’ ‘long the side of me
 
I’m mean an’ I’m bad, y’know, I ain’t no sissy
Got a big-titty girly by the name of Chrissy
Talkin’ about her an’ my bike an’ me…
An’ this ride up the Mountain of Mystery, Mystery
 
I noticed even the crickets were actin’ weird up here
An’ so I figured I might just drink a little beer
I said: “Gimme summa that, what you’re suckin’ on…”
But there was no reply ‘cause she was gone…
 
“Where’s those titties I like so well
An’ my goddamn beer!” is what I started to yell
Then I heard this noise like a crunchin’ twig

An’ UP, jumped the Devil, he’s about this big…
 
He had a red suit on an’ a widow’s peak
An’ then a pointed tail an’ like a sulphur reek
Yes, it was him awright, I swear I knowed it was
He had some human flesh stuck underneath his claws
 
You know, it looked to me like it was titty skin
I said: “You, son of a bitch!” ‘cause I was mad at him
Well, he just got out his floss an’ started cleanin’ his fang
So I shot him with my shooter, said: “BANG BANG BANG”
 
Then the sucker just laughed an’ said
[Terry Bozzio] Oh, put it away…
You know, I ate her all up…
Now what you gonna say?
 
[FZ] You ate my Chrissy?
[Terry Bozzio] Titties an’ all!
[FZ] Well, what about the beer then, boy?
[Terry Bozzio] Ah, were the cans this tall?
 
[FZ] Even her boots?
[Terry Bozzio] Would I lie to you?
[FZ] Shit, you musta been hungry
[Terry Bozzio] Yes, this is true
 
[FZ] Don’t they pay you good for the stuff that you do?
[Terry Bozzio] Well, you know, I can’t complain when the checks come through…
 
[FZ] Well, I want my Chrissy an’ I want my beer
So you just barf it back up, now, Devil, do you hear?
[Terry Bozzio] Blow it out your ass, motorcycle man!
I mean, I am the Devil, do you understand?
Just what will you give me for your titties and beer?
I suppose you noticed this little contract here
 
[FZ] You’re goddam right, you, son-of-a-whore
[Terry Bozzio] Don’t call me that!
[FZ] That’s about the only reason I learned writin’ for…
Gimme that paper… bet yer ass I will sign
Because I need a beer an’ it’s titty-squeezin’ time!
 
[Terry Bozzio] Man, you can’t fool me… you ain’t that bad!
I mean you shoulda seen some of the souls that I’ve had…
[FZ] Oh yeah?
[Terry Bozzio] Why, there was Milhous Nixon an’ Agnew, too…
An’ both of those suckers was worse ‘n you…
 
[FZ] Well, let’s make a deal if you think that’s true
I mean, you’re the Devil… so whatcha gonna do?
[Terry Bozzio] Wait a minute, a tinge of doubt crosses my mind when you say that you want to make a deal with me
[FZ] That’s very, very true
 
[Terry Bozzio] Wait, you ain’t supposed to wanna make a deal with me
[FZ] Ah, but I’m slightly different than your average customer, Devil
[Terry Bozzio] But, wait, but most people don’t want to make a deal with me
[FZ] Yeah
[Terry Bozzio] What’s your story?

[FZ] Well, most people are afraid of you, see? They don’t know how stupid you are. I happen to know that you jack off to a picture of Punky Meadows when you get home
[Terry Bozzio] Grrah… stupid… grrh
 

[FZ] You know, ever since that guy told you that he contained more fluid than Jeff Beck you’ve been tryin’ to outdo him. Awright, look, I’m gonna say one thing to you, this may not register right away, but let me say this:
Leave your pickle alone for a couple of nights, you know what I mean? Now, come on! I’m only interested in a couple of things. (Wait, is that a note for me? Is somebody passing me a note? What does this say? “Frank, please do me a favor, I can’t find a brother of mine, I could dig it if you could call him from stage. His name is Dirty Tom Nomads M.C.”, signed “Thanks, Bear” or “Bean”, I can’t tell. Well, if he’s out there, Dirty Tony de la Nomads M.C. get in touch with Bean or Bear). And as I was sayin’, Devil, I’m an average sort of a person, I’m… you wouldn’t believe it, but I’m very much like the people here in this audience tonight.
[Terry Bozzio] What?
[FZ] I think we definitely have something in common
[Terry Bozzio] Wait a minute, I thought you had funny things growing in your hair and all that other stuff. I thought, write weird music, you know, I thought…
[FZ] Listen…
[Terry Bozzio] Biker and everything, I mean, shit, you know?
[FZ] Listen carefully…
[Terry Bozzio] Big tittie chick that you just had out here with the camera, I mean, you know…
[FZ] Listen carefully to me, oh, Devil…
[Terry Bozzio] Uh-huh
 
[FZ] I’m only interested in two things
[Terry Bozzio] Yeah
[FZ] See if you can guess what they are
[Terry Bozzio] I would think uh… let’s see, maybe uh…
[FZ] Well, I’ll give you…
[Terry Bozzio] Stravinsky… and uh…
[FZ] I’ll give you two clues…
[Terry Bozzio] Let’s see uh…
[FZ] Let go of your pickle
[Terry Bozzio] What?
[FZ] Let go of your PICKLE!
[Terry Bozzio] I’m not holding my pickle
[FZ] Well, who’s holding your pickle then?
[Terry Bozzio] I don’t know… ha! She’s out in the audience. Hey, Dale, would you like to come up here and hold my pickle to satisfy this weird man out here on the stage?
[FZ] You’re probably wondering why we call it a pickle
[Ray Collins] Ha ha ha!
[Terry Bozzio] Oh no!
[FZ] I don’t… I hate… I hate to squeal on you, Bozzio, I mean, Devil but, look, I’m only interested in two things
[Terry Bozzio] Now, wait a minute, all I have to say is: “God help me”! Even though I have this… this fucking mask on…
[FZ] Ha ha ha ha ha! Listen, if you think that mask looks bad, you oughta see his pickle
 
[FZ] I’m only interested in two things, that’s titties and beer, you know what I mean?
[Terry Bozzio] What?
[FZ] Yeah
[Terry Bozzio] Titties and beer?
[FZ] Titties and beer, titties and beer, titties and beer, titties and beer, titties and beer, titties and beer, titties and beer, titties and beer…
[Terry Bozzio] Whoa, I don’t know if you’re the right guy!
[FZ] Titties and beer, titties and beer, titties and beer
 
[Terry Bozzio] No! Don’t sign it! Give me time to think… I mean…
[FZ] Alright!
[Terry Bozzio] Hold on a second, boy… ‘cause that’s magic ink!
 
[FZ] And then the Devil let go of his pickle an’ out jumped m’ girl
They heard the titties plop-ploppin’ all around the world
She said: “I got me three beers an’ a fist fulla downs
An’ I’m gonna get ripped, so fuck you clowns!”
Then she gave us the finger, it was rigid an’ stiff
That’s when the Devil, he farted an’ she went right over the cliff
(Whoa! Tinsel time!)
 
Well, the Devil was mad, I took off to my pad
I swear I do declare! How did she get back there?
I swear I do declare! How did she get back there?
I swear I do declare! How did she get back there?
I swear I do declare! How did she get back there?
I swear I do declare! How did she get back there?
I swear I do de
 
[FZ] Awright… Awright, that… that’s enough for the Devil and his famous pickle. We’re goin’ to make another dramatic if… if somewhat… rickety segue into another song called “Cruisin’ for burgers”, wait a minute.

2. Cruisin’ for burgers [CD bonus track]


[Instrumental]

3. I promise not to come in your mouth


[Notes by FZ] A sensitive instrumental ballad for late-nite easy listening. The guitar solo is FZ, the Moog solo is Eddie.
 
[Instrumental]

4. Punky’s whips [CD bonus track]


[Notes by FZ] A song about Terry’s litho-eroticization via a Japanese fanzine called ONGAKU.

A full page photo of Punky Meadows (lead guitarist of “Angel”) tweezed his mind so badly that a commemorative oratorio had to be constructed.

 Terry Bozzio with Punky Meadows’ photo (from “Zappa in New York” CD booklet)

Terry is simultaneously singing the lead vocal, playing the drums, and turning pages of his sheet music in a rare display of punkoid frenzy.
 
[Don Pardo] In today’s rapidly changing world, musical groups appear almost every day with some new promotional device. Some of these devices have been known to leave irreparable scars on the minds of foolish young consumers. One such case is seated before you: live on stage, yes, Terry Bozzio!
[Terry Bozzio] That’s meeee!
[Don Pardo] That cute little drummer. Terry recently felt in love with a publicity photo of a boy named Punky Meadows, lead guitar player from a group called “Angel”. In the photo, Punky was seen with a beautiful shiny hairdo in a semi-profile which emphasized the pooched out succulence of his insolent pouting rictus
[Terry Bozzio] Ooh, Punky!
[Don Pardo] The sight of which drove the helpless drummer MAD WITH DESIRE!
 
[Terry Bozzio] I CAN’T STAND THE WAY HE POUTS
(‘Cause he might not be pouting for me!)
Hah! Pouting for you?
Hah! Punky Meadows? Pouting for you?
 
HIS HAIR’S SO SHINY AND IT’S DONE REAL NICE
(‘Til I squirm with ecstasy!)
 
[Instrumental]
 
[Terry Bozzio] Punky, Punky, give me your lips to die on…
 

Oh, Punky, isn’t it romantic?
 
[Instrumental]
 
[Terry Bozzio] Punky, Punky, give me your lips to die on…

I promise not to come in your mouth
 
Punky, Punky, your album’s the shits, it’s all wrong…
But, listen, this is no laughing matter
 
I AIN’T REALLY QUEER, BUT IF HE EVER GOT NEAR
STEVEN TYLER WOULD PAY TO SEE, PAY TO SEE!
 
Punky’s whips, Punky’s whips
His hair’s so shiny, I love his hips
I love his teeth, an’ his gums an’ such…
What’s up, baby?
Punky, you’re an angel…
Oh, you know that’s the kind of stuff that I like to hear
You’re too much
 
He’s been havin’ a rash
No shit
That keeps the girls away
Skin doom
Skin doom
Is what the doctors say
 
I wonder if Punky is rehearsin’ today
I’ll just go over an’ hear him play
His hair is so pretty… I’d like to bite his neck

I’ve heard a rumor, he’s more fluid than Jeff Beck
Dig this:
I AIN’T QUEER
I AIN’T GAY
(He’s a little fond of chiffon in a wrist array-ee-ay-ee-ay
A wrist array-he-hey)
That’s all it is
 
Punky’s lips, Punky’s lips
Oh, I love his hair, eatin’ Donkey chips
Yes, I love his blink and his blank-blank-blank
Why, maybe he’d like to YANK MY CRANK?
YANK IT PUNKY!
YANK IT FASTER!
YANK IT HARDER!
YANK IT ALL NITE LONG!
COME ON, PUNKY! GET FUNKY!
 
I AIN’T QUEER
NO, NO, NO, NO!
I AIN’T GAY
NO, NO, NO, NO!
(He’s a little fond of chiffon in a wrist array-ee-ay-ee-ay
A wrist array-he-hey)

One more time for the world!
And then he said:
“I AIN’T QUEER
I AIN’T GAY”
(He’s a little fond of chiffon in a wrist array-ay-hay)
 
I-I… Lord, I-I’m fo-fo-o-o-nd of chiffo-on
In a wrist array-ee-ay-hey
I said
I-I-I-I-I-I-I… I’m a little fo-o-nd of chiffo-on
In a wrist array-hey-ay-ay-hey
 
[Instrumental]
 
[FZ] Thank you. Our birthday boy, Terry Bozzio, sad but true. Just a minute.

5. Honey, don’t you want a man like me?


[Notes by FZ] Just another love song.
 
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a man like me?
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a man like me?
 

He was the Playboy Type (he smoked a pipe)
His fav’rite phrase was “Outa-site
He had an Irish Setter
Hratche-plche hratche-plche hratche-plche arf
 
It was a singles bar, a Tuesday night
The moon was dim, the band was tight
They did the Bump together
 
What a splendid sight
Roon doon doon doon
Her teeth were white
Oo-ah oo-oooh
The drinks were cheap (it was Ladies Nite)
He was glad that he met her
 
She was an office girl, “My name is Betty
Her fav’rite group was Helen Reddy
(They discussed the weather!)
 
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a man like me?
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a man like me?
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a…
Baby, don’t you want a…
Baby, don’t you want a MAN!
 
She was a lonely sort, just a little too short
Her jokes were dumb and her fav’rite sport
Was hockey (in the winter)
[Mumble]
 
He was duly impressed and was quick to suggest
Any sport with a PUCK had to be ‘bout the best
As he jabbed his elbow in her
(Get it, honey? Get it?)
 
Later on they went off to where the music was soft
The candles were drippy, they saw a real hippy
Who delivered their dinner
 
The rice was brown and soon they found
That the crowd around that had jammed the room
Well, it seemed to be getting thinner
 
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a man like me?
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a man like me?
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a…
Baby, don’t you want a…
Baby, don’t you want a MAN!
 
He took her home to a motor court
She would not kiss him, he tried to ignore it
But it made him angry!
Angry! It made me angry!
Why, it made me so angry
I COULD HAVE KILLED THAT LOUSY BITCH!
 
He called her a slut
Slut slut slut
A pig
Pig pig pig
And a whore
Whore whore whore
A bitch
Bitch bitch bitch
And a cunt
Cunt cunt cunt
And she slammed the door
The door!
In a petulant frenzy!
A petulant frenzy!
This is a petulant frenzy!
I’m petulant
And I’m having a frenzy!
 
On the sofa she weeps
BOO HOO HOO HOO!
She weeps and she weeps
BOO HOO HOO HOO HOO HOO!
She weeps and she peeps through the curtain
 
He just got in his car
But the battery’s dead
So he asked to use the phone
And she gives him some head
And that’s the end of the story
 
Honey, honey, hey
Baby, don’t you want a man like me?
Honey, honey, hey
Ah, baby, don’t you want a man like me?
Honey, honey, hey
Ah, baby, don’t you want a…
Ah, baby, don’t you want a…
Ah, baby, don’t you want a MAN!
 
Baby, don’t you want a MAN sometimes?

6. The Illinois enema bandit


[Notes by FZ] The basic story is true, some of the mechanical details of the bandit’s processes had to be guessed at, and the final courtroom verse is a parody of traditional blues mythology where some girl has got to have her man go free, no matter what he’s been accused of. This part of the story has been fictionalized, as well as the final philosophical conclusion.

The little “Wanna-wanna-wannanennema…” postscript for Roy Estrada is a reference to a statement Roy made occasionally to Jimmy Carl Black in the Garrick Theater days. Ray White sings lead.


[Newspaper extract] Michael H. Kenyon, 30, the suspected enema bandit who terrorized coeds at the University of Illinois for 10 years, has pleaded guilty in Urbana, Ill., to six counts of armed robbery. He has admitted administering enemas to woman victims in at least three of the six robberies.
 
[FZ] And now, folks, it’s time for Don Pardo to deliver our special Illinois enema bandit-type announcement. TAKE IT AWAY, DON!
 
[Don Pardo] This is a true story about a famous criminal from right around Chicago. This is the story of Michael Kenyon, a man who’s serving time at this very moment for the crime of armed robbery. It so happens, that at the time of these robberies, Michael decided to give his female victims a little enema. Apparently, there was no law against that. But his name lives on: MICHAEL KENYON, THE ILLINOIS ENEMA BANDIT!
 
[Ray White] The Illinois enema bandit
I heard he’s on the loose
I heard he’s on the loose
Lord, the pitiful screams
Of all them college-educated women…
He’d just be tyin’ ‘em up
(They’d be all bound down)
Just be pumpin’ every one of ‘em up with all the bag fulla…
The Illinois enema bandit juice
He just be pumpin’ every one of ‘em up with all the bag fulla…
The Illinois enema bandit juice
He just be pumpin’ every one of ‘em up with all the bag fulla…
The Illinois enema bandit juice
He just be pumpin’ every one of ‘em up with all the bag fulla…
The Illinois enema bandit juice
 
The Illinois enema bandit
I heard it on the news
I heard it on the news
Bloomington, Illinois… he has caused some alarm
Just sneakin’ around there from farm to farm
He’s got a rubberized bag and a hose on his arm
Lookin’ for some rustic co-ed rump
That he just might wanna pump
Lookin’ for some rustic co-ed rump
That he just might wanna pump
Lookin’ for some rustic co-ed rump
That he just might wanna pump
 
[Instrumental]
 
[Ray White] The Illinois enema bandit
One day he’ll have to pay
Someday he’ll have to pay
 
[FZ] The police will say: “You’re under arrest!”
And the judge would have him for a special guest
Then the D.A. will order a secret test
Stuff his pudgy little thumbs in the side of his vest
Then they’ll put out a call-yooou for the jury folks
(That’s you over there)
And the judge would say: “No poo-poo jokes!
Then they’ll drag in the bandit for all to see
Sayin’: “Don’t nobody, no, no, have no sympathy…
Hot soapy water in the first degree”

And then the bandit might say: “WHY IS EVERYBODY LOOKIN’ AT ME?”
 
Did you cause this misery?
Well, did you cause this kinda misery?
Well, did you cause this misery?
Well, one girl shout: LET THE BANDIT BE!
 
Bandit, are you guilty?
Bandit, are you guilty?
Tell me now, what’s your plea?

Another girl shout: LET THE FIEND GO FREE!
 
Are you guilty? Bandit, did you do these deeds?
Come on now
He said: “It must be just what they all need…”
“It must be just what they all need…”
That’s right!
“It must be just what they all need…”
Over there
“It must be just what they all need…”
Help me out now!
“It must be just what they all need…”
That’s right!
“It must be just what they all need…”
 
[Ray White] He just be pumpin’ every one of ‘em up with all the bag fulla…
Don’t you know it must be just what they all need…
[Repeat]
 
Talkin’ ‘bout the Illinois
Illinois

Ain’t talkin’ ‘bout Fontana , ha
Ain’t talkin’ ‘bout Po-head-otated, ha
(I’ll try again)

Potato-Headed Bobby
Talkin’ ‘bout the Illinois enema bandit
Yeah yeah yeah
 
[FZ] Wait a minute, this is for Roy Estrada, wherever he is:
Wanna-wanna-wannanennema
An enema
Wanna-wanna-wannanennema
An enema
I wanna-wanna-wannanennema
Eh, TAKE IT AWAY!
 
[Ray White] The Illinois enema bandit
The enema bandit
The enema bandit
The enema bandit
The enema bandit
Talkin’ ‘bout the Illinois enema bandit
 

It can’t happen here!
JUICE!
 
[FZ] AWRIGHT-AWRIGHT! Ray White, the assistant Illinois enema bandit, live on stage here in New York!
 
That’s it, sit right down and make yourselves comfortable

Disc 2

1. I’m the slime [CD bonus track]


[FZ] One, two, three, four
 
Alright
 
[Instrumental]
 
[FZ] I am gross and perverted
I’m obsessed an’ deranged
I have existed for years
But very little has changed
 
I’m the tool of the government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you
 
I might be vile and pernicious
But you can’t look away
I make you think I’m delicious
With the stuff that I say
 
I’m the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I’m the slime oozin’ out from your… TAKE IT AWAY, DON PARDO!
 
[Don Pardo] YOU WILL OBEY ME WHILE I LEAD YOU
AND EAT THE GARBAGE THAT I FEED YOU
UNTIL THE DAY THAT WE DON’T NEED YOU
DON’T GO FOR HELP… NO ONE WILL HEED YOU
 
YOUR MIND IS TOTALLY CONTROLLED
IT IS STUFFED INTO MY MOLD
AND YOU WILL DO AS YOU ARE TOLD
UNTIL THE RIGHTS TO YOU ARE SOLD!
 
TAKE IT AWAY, FRANK!
[FZ] Thanks, Don!
 
That’s right, folks… don’t touch that dial!
 
I am the slime from your video
Oozin’ along on your livin’ room floor
I am the slime from your video
[Don Pardo] NO, FRANK! I’M THE SLIME!
[FZ] You can’t stop the slime, people, lookit me go
[Don Pardo] I’M THE SLIME, I AM THE SLIME
 
[FZ] I am the slime from your video
Oozin’ along on your livin’ room floor
I am the slime from your video
You can’t stop the slime, people, lookit me go
 
[Don Pardo] HA HA HA HA HA!
BWAH HA HA!
BWAH HA HA!
 
[Instrumental]

2. Pound for a brown [CD bonus track]


[FZ] Thank you, Don
[Don Pardo] Hey, Frank! Hey, I did it, Frank. Yay, we did it! Didn’t we?
[FZ] That’s right, we did it
[Don Pardo] Yeah
 
[Instrumental]
 
[FZ] And for our next number…

3. Manx needs women


[Notes by FZ] An arrangement of the exercise published in “Guitar Player” magazine, with a few alterations and additions.
 
[Instrumental]

4. The black page drum solo + Black page #1


[Notes by FZ] Opens with an improvisation by Terry, Ruth and Dave join in on the written part, along with wood and metal, percussion overdubbed by John, Ed and Ruth. The exact same rhythm patterns you have just heard are now the metric spacings of a melody that sounds like the missing link between “Uncle Meat” and “The be-bop tango”.
 
[Instrumental]

5. Big leg Emma


[Notes by FZ] Just so you’d have a stupid song to tap your foot to in the middle of this other stuff… and also for nostalgic purposes, as this was one of the pieces regularly performed when we lived in New York and worked at the Garrick Theater in 1967.
 
[FZ] There’s a big dilemma about my big leg Emma
Uh-huh oh yeah
There’s a big dilemma about my big leg Emma
Uh-huh oh yeah
She used to knock me out, until her face broke out
 
There’s a big dilemma about my big leg Emma
Uh-huh oh yeah
There’s a big dilemma about my big leg Emma
Uh-huh oh yeah
She was my steady date until she put on weight
 
Ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma Emma!
Dip! Too-koo-too koo-too-koo too-koo-too too-koo-too
 
Ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma ma-ma-ma Emma!
Dip! Boogedy boogedy boogedy boogedy
 
[Instrumental]
 
There’s a big dilemma about my big leg Emma
Uh-huh oh yeah
There’s a big dilemma about my big leg Emma
Uh-huh oh yeah
She used to knock me out, until her face broke out
She used to knock me out, until her face broke out
She used to knock me out, a-oooh, until her face broke out, a-oooh
 
Thank you

6. Sofa


[Notes by FZ] An arousing waltz, originally released on the album “One Size Fits All”. Since that album was not very popular, this presentation might guide a few curious listeners back in that direction to check it out.
 
[Instrumental]

7. Black page #2


[Notes by FZ] And, once again, our theme re-orchestrated, rhythmically modified, and set to a cheap little disco vamp, against which the poly-rhythmic anomalies become yet more enchanting.
 
[FZ] All right, now watch this.
Let me tell you ‘bout this song. This song was originally constructed as a drum solo. That’s right. Now, after Terry learned how to play “The black page” on the drum set, I figured: “Well, maybe it would be good for other instruments”. So I wrote a melody that went along with the drum solo, and that turned into “The black page, Part 1 - The hard version”.

Then I said: “Well, what about the other people in the world who might enjoy the melody of ‘The black page’ but couldn’t really approach its statistical density in its basic form?” So I went to work and constructed a little ditty which is now being set up for you with this little disco type vamp. This is “The black page, Part 2 - The easy teen-age New York version”.
Get down with your bad selves so to speak, to “The black page, Part 2”.
 
[Instrumental]
 
[FZ] Thank you. Did anybody dance?

8. The torture never stops [CD bonus track]


[FZ] Flies all green an’ buzzin’ in his dungeon of despair
Prisoners grumble and piss their clothes and scratch their matted hair
A tiny light from a window hole a hundred yards away
Is all they ever get to know about the regular life in the day
 
An’ it stinks so bad, the stones been chokin’ an’ weepin’ greenish drops
In the room where the giant fire puffer works where the torture never stops
The torture never stops
The torture…
The torture…
The torture never stops
 
Slime an’ rot, rats an’ snot an’ vomit on the floor
Fifty ugly soldiers, man, holdin’ spears by the iron door
Knives an’ spikes an’ guns and the likes of every tool of pain
An’ a sinister midget with a bucket an’ a mop where the blood goes down the drain
 
An’ it stinks so bad, the stones been chokin’ an’ weepin’ greenish drops
In the room where the giant fire puffer works an’ the torture never stops
The torture never stops
The torture…
The torture…
The torture never stops
 
Flies all green an’ buzzin’ in his dungeon of despair
An Evil Prince eats a steamin’ pig in a chamber right near there
He eats the snouts an’ the trotters first
The loins an’ the groins is soon dispersed
His carvin’ style is well rehearsed
 
He stands and shouts:
“All men be cursed”
“All men be cursed”
“All men be cursed”
“All men be cursed”
And disagree, well, no-one durst
(That’s right!)
He’s the best of course of all the worst
He’s the best of course of all the worst
Some wrong been done, he done it first
Some wrong been done, he done it first
 
An’ he stinks so bad, his bones been chokin’ an’ weepin’ greenish drops
In the night of the iron sausage where the torture never stops
The torture never stops
The torture…
The torture…
The torture never stops
 
[Instrumental]
 
Flies all green an’ buzzin’ in his dungeon of despair
Who are all these people that is locked away up there?
Are they crazy?
Are they sainted?
Are they zeros someone painted?
 
It has never been explained since at first it was created
But a dungeon, like a sin
Requires naught but lockin’ in
Of everything that’s ever been
Look at her
Look at him
(Yeah, you!)
 
That’s what’s the deal we’re dealing in
That’s what’s the deal we’re dealing in
That’s what’s the deal we’re dealing in
That’s what’s the deal we’re dealing in
 
[FZ] Thank you!

9. The purple lagoon + Approximate


[Notes by FZ] The special arrangement of a piece we played on the Saturday Night Live TV show in December (featuring John Belushi as a samurai Be-bop musician).
Two themes are played against each other: “The purple lagoon” versus “Approximate” (an unreleased composition dating from the days of “The Grand Wazoo”).

The first solo is Mike Brecker on tenor sax, the second is FZ on guitar (overdubbed, since there was no guitar solo played during the concert in this tune, and the quiet little percussion track in the background was sort of boring so it became a case of inevitable insertionism), followed by a transition featuring the steaming re-processed grunts of Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax, leading to a piquant protruberance of a bass solo by Patrick O’Hearn, culminating in the mystery and spellbinding grandeur insinuated by the bionically modified trumpet solo of Randy Brecker.
 
[Instrumental]



From “Zappa In New York” CD booklet

English lyrics from site Information Is Not Knowledge.